by Angele Tanyeri
The Collyde Summit is a gathering of passionate believers in the NY, NJ, and PA area, who love Jesus and are convicted to become world changers. Collyde turned out to be a life-changing experience for me! To gather and worship in this way was profound. It also gave me a chance to ‘collide’ with individuals I may not have had an opportunity to meet otherwise.
by Elise Daly Parker
So for pretty much the 30+ years my beloved and I have been married, we have been “working” on our finances. Initially, it was just a matter of trying to be responsible with our money and not get in over our heads with debt. Truth be told, our success was short term. Some of this was circumstantial – unanticipated life and salary changes threw us for a loop. But, really? We overspent.
by Kathleen Whittam
There is a nickname for people who only go to church on Christmas and Easter--a ChrEaster. My mom has long been a fan of the Christmas cactus, a plant that, oddly enough, blooms around Christmas as well as Easter. I started calling them a ChrEaster Cactus.
By Beth Stiff
I wanted to start from the beginning...
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.~ Genesis 1:1-2
My focal point was going to be on the three words God says over and over again in the first chapter of Genesis: “…it is good."
He looked at all He created and said it was good. ~ Genesis 1:31
Starting from the beginning sounded like a good plan because I’m currently reading from the Book of Genesis and those three words jumped off the pages as I read. If we believe everything He said as truth, and he says those three words several times, I’m thinking those words are rather important. [Continue Reading...]
by Elise Daly Parker
Even if you don’t go for a big New Year’s Eve celebration, the New Year can mark a fresh start, a new beginning, a shift in focus. It’s a good time to take a look back at the past, and consider a vision for the year ahead.
Many people choose a New Year’s resolution or two… [Continue Reading...]
Is there a book that you just can't seem to put down, that's teaching you a profound spiritual lesson, or making you laugh amid your struggles? We want to hear about it!
There are two ways you can join us here on First Friday Book Faves! Tell us in the comments what you are reading or use the LinkUp below to share your blog post about a favorite book you've read. [Continue Reading…]
by Diana Jones
My husband started a new position as Dean of Students/School Counselor in a charter school in a low-income and high-risk neighborhood. While a wonderful opportunity for him to serve the community, it means longer hours away from our family. I am now the parent in charge of drop off, pick up, homework, dinner, and after-school activities, plus I’ve got full-time job.
The transition hasn’t been easy for me! [Continue Reading…]
by Kimberly Amici
On Oct. 29 multi-platinum Christian artist Chris Tomlin released his first live DVD project. The two-disc Burning Lights Deluxe Tour Edition, includes a previously released studio album plus a DVD of his show performed at the famed Red Rocks, the open-air amphitheater, just 10 miles west of Denver, Colorado .
We have teamed up with Capitol Christian Music Group to give away three copies of Burning Lights: Deluxe Edition CD/DVD. [Continue Reading...]
by Kimberly Amici
As a mom of three young children, I felt like I was always cleaning up after someone. There were always dishes to wash, laundry to be cleaned, and meals to cook.
After only a few years of motherhood, I began to feel like Cinderella.
When my kids were toddlers, we took various Mommy and Me classes. Every single one of these classes had a cleanup song. I witnessed my kids put away blocks and instruments. I realized, If they can clean up here, I can put them to work at home. [Continue Reading...]
by Kimberly Amici
Every night the same scene played out at my house.
It was 5 o’clock; I stood in front of the refrigerator wondering what to make for dinner again. The kids were getting hungry and restless. As I stared at the food I thought, I hate this time of day. I walked back and forth to the pantry and waited for the audible voice of God to tell me what to cook. I heard nothing. 20 minutes went by and I was still pacing back and forth trying to decide what to feed to my family. My children, now cranky, yelled from the other room, “Mommm, when are we going to eat?” [Continue Reading...]
By Kimberly Amici
Last winter I took a 4-week photography class called Understanding Your DSLR. It covered the fundamentals of taking great pictures. I was thrilled to no only learn how to use the numerous buttons on my camera but to cross an item off on last year’s goals list. I learned a lot in that class...and it wasn't just about taking pictures. [Continue Reading...]
by Kimberly Amici
I wasn’t sure what to pray with my kids in the evenings. I got tired of giving
thanks for the wonderful day and then asking God to give us a good night sleep. “Now I lay me down to sleep…” didn't seem like a good option. I can remember as a little girl saying it before I’d go to sleep at night, though I could never remember if I was supposed to pray for my soul to keep or to take. Eventually, fearing that I was going to get it wrong, I stopped praying this prayer altogether. [Continue Reading...]
It all started when I sent my kids off to their very first Vacation Bible School.
At the end of the week, they came home with a set of dog tags. Each tag featured a different Scripture they had learned. I could hardly believe it when my then three year old was able to recite more than one Bible verse to me, complete with body movements. “Wow, this is awesome!” I thought, then over the next few weeks I taught my kids a few more Scriptures. [Continue Reading...]
What’s on Your iPod?
I love to listen to music as I exercise. In fact, if I am not taking a class or running with a friend, I need my music. My iPod with my workout playlist is just as essential as my sneaks and sports bra.
I have a standard list of songs that keep me moving, but I always keep my eye open for new music.
This past December, for the first time, I intentionally celebrated the Advent season with my children. In an attempt to have a more meaningful holiday, I followed along with Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands and participated in a daily devotional and craft with my little ones.
After seeing what a difference it made in the way my children viewed Christmas, I knew I wanted to do something special for Easter as well.
My friend Jennifer introduced me to the Easter Story Cookies. This is a great activity to do with your kids while pointing to Christ and the reason we celebrate this holiday.
You'll need:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Place pecans in ziplock bag. Beat the bag with a wooden spoon to break the nuts into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 9:1-3.
Open the vinegar and let each child smell it. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar.
Explain that eggs represent life; Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing.
Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know we belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents purity. In God's eyes, we are purified because our sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts.
Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper lined cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED!
Explain to your children that Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. They too may feel sad since they can't eat the cookies right away. They will need to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Point out the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
Explain that on the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9
Download a printable copy of the Easter Story Cookie Recipe HERE.
With a background as an interior designer Kimberly has is unique in her ability to be both creative and practical; now a stay-at-home mom she still enjoys exercising her creative muscles. After God, her very active family is her top priority. Kimberly seeks to live a life that is spirit led with her husband Carl and their three young children in the NYC suburbs.
You can follow Kimberly in her journey to discovering the Sweet Spot of God’s success for her everyday life on her blog at Living in the Sweet Spot. or on twitter @kimberlyamici.Click here for her full bio.
by Kimberly Amici
There has been a lot of talk online about choosing One Word for the New Year. In fact, we just talked about it here at Circles Of Faith the other day. The whole idea is that instead creating a resolutions list, you choose one word to be your motto for the year. Choosing just one word can help fine-tune your thinking, creating focus throughout the next twelve months.
My husband and I were among the first on line to get a copy of The Skin You Live In: Building Friendships Across Cultural Lines because we have the privilege of being members of Dr. David Ireland’s 6000-member mega church in NJ. Having been a member of several multicultural congregations over the last 15 years, it seemed like an important book for me to read. I know from almost a decade of attending Pastor Ireland's church that he truly desires racial reconciliation and longs to see diversity—not only in the pews as he ministers on Sunday morning, but in the Body of Christ as a whole.
Are you a Christ Follower but find that you do not want to sit next to a person of another race?
Do you cringe at the thought of your son or daughter bringing home a person of another race or culture…especially if the relationship may be romantic?
Then this book is for you.
On the other hand, maybe you think, "I've got this one covered, I am not prejudice."
This book is still for you.
Each of us should ask ourselves, “Do I feel uncomfortable with others who are different than me?” And if so, “Why?”
This book helps you to do just that.
The book intentionally asks hard questions, such as:
* Am I cross-racially attractive?
* Do I unconsciously reject people of other cultures?
* How do I develop strong interracial relationships?
* What skills are needed to have a safe interracial conversation on race?
I found this book to be an easy read despite its sensitive topic.
It reads like a well-written dissertation with plenty of examples of race/cultural conflict and resolution. Most of the steps shared in this book are basic Biblical relational principles that we, as Christians, should be walking out in our life; act neighborly, share common interests, be warm and inviting, offer mutual respect, and respond with kindness. The real-life stories included persuade the reader that racial reconciliation is important as well as necessary. The practical steps, while fairly simple, are helpful as well. A couple of these are: offer hospitality, go on social outings, and practice honesty in relationship.
Dr. Ireland points out that reconciliation starts with stepping out of your comfort zone.
He explains we can really only do this through grace. You can't talk about race reconciliation without talking about its most important element – forgiveness. In Ths Skin You Love In, Dr. Ireland does a wonderful job of talking about why forgiveness is necessary, as well as breaking down what it is and what it is not. A general prayer of forgiveness is included in the book to get the reader started in the process of letting go of past hurts that may prevent furthering relationships.
The book ends with Dr. Ireland sharng his story about the hate and discrimination he experienced as a result of his race.
Then he accepted Christ and it healed him of the pain of victimization. "I emerged from my dorm room as a new believer in Jesus and as a man healed of prejudice and confusion over how I would live and connect with others in our pluralistic and multicultural society." His firsthand experience encourages the reader that race reconciliation is possible.
I would’ve liked a little more insight into the actual process of forgiveness and how it is walked out in everyday life. I believe unless forgiveness takes place, it can be extremely difficult to put into practice the suggestions provided, whether it’s opening up your home or having vulnerable conversations. From experience, I know for healing to take place it’s important to allow the Lord to search our hearts and expose specific places where we've have been hurt or walls have been built. So I highly recommend downloading the study guide here. It provides a prayer that addresses a particular offense or offender. I have learned over the years that forgiveness is an ongoing process that often requires repeated prayer. Over time, the layers of unforgiveness are peeled back and healing begins. To go deeper into the matter, I wish the book included the steps victims can take to repent of judgment and vows that they may have made due to their experiences.
Even though Dr. Ireland shares his personal story, I wanted to hear more about the nitty -gritty of his experience. I felt as though the book was missing a more in-depth account of his journey through victimization to healing. Was it really as easy as Dr. Ireland states? Did it take one prayer or did he have to forgive multiple times? Those details could help me and others through our journey.
This book will touch and transform each one who reads it differently, based on their personal experience.
Even though I thought, "I've got this one covered…", as I read, I allowed the Holy Spirit access to "ping" my heart in the areas where subtle discrimination was buried. I repented of stereotypes and judgments and have had transforming conversations with my husband and friends.
There is no doubt that in a quest to unite people to people and people to God, Dr. David Ireland has poured his heart into this book.
The Skin You Love In is an essential read for anyone looking to improve relationships with others, whether of the same race or not.
For more information on Dr. David Ireland and the other books he has written, visit http://www.davidireland.org .
Today we are giving away a signed copy of the book. Click here and you will be redirected to the right place.
by Kimberly Amici
I know I will experience times of discouragement or crisis that might knock me off my feet. I want to be ready to dig in my heels and put my trust in God to see me through. While I know the exact date I will run a race, in life I don’t always get a heads up as to what is coming. Sometimes I get caught unprepared. Just like with running, I need to be in top form to run the race of life.
by Kimberly Amici
Nothing helps us savor the Christmas season like the sounds of holiday cheer coming from the speakers in our home or car. You would be hard pressed to find us listening to anything else during the month of December. We have a diverse musical library that we try to add to every year.
I love throwing parties. I love Mexican food. Give me a reason to throw a Mexican-themed party and I am elated. I have a handful of go-to serving dishes, tablecloths, and decorations just waiting for the next social gathering. Recently, my husband and I were throwing a party with a Spanish flair for our daughter’s birthday and I wanted to serve chips and salsa, one of our family’s favorite munchies. I looked everywhere for our large blue, red, and orange chip and dip bowl but couldn't seem to locate it. I could not believe I had the perfect piece to present the snacks, but could not find it anywhere. The party went off without a hitch even though the presentation wasn’t exactly what I had in my mind.
It is so frustrating when you can’t find what you are looking for.
Our basement is a catch-all for the things that have no place in the rooms above ground. It's the space that’s served as a playroom for the big toys, laundry, gift wrap station, storage, etc. At one time, it also housed a Pilates machine; a late-night purchase from the HSN Shopping Network. For months it went untouched except of course for the kids playing on it, and we always shooed them off. Filled with promises of lean muscles in half the time, I decided I was finally going to give it a try. I turned on the little TV, popped in the DVD that came with the machine, and laid down ready to transform my body. As I lay there and looked up, my eyes were drawn to the top shelf of the wire racks that ran along the wall…and I saw it! It was the infamous chips and salsa dish that went MIA months before.
In changing my perspective, what seemed lost was found.
I was no longer looking at eye level. I was seeing through a worm’s eye. Perspective is an important element in art. In photography, for example, it adds to the story and perfects the shot. By changing my perspective I saw more. My limits were removed.
You can take a picture of the same subject, engage in the same activity, look in the same places, yet have a different outcome when you change perspective.
A shifted perspective reveals that there is more than meets the eye at first. One of the things that will radically change your perspective is a heart of gratitude.
We talk a lot about thankfulness during the month of November, but what if we talked about it all year round?
I certainly could stand a little more gratitude thrown my way in my home. I am tired of making meals that are met with complaints or cleaning the house only for it to be littered with stuff soon thereafter. Yet, I realize, if I want the climate in my home to change, thankfulness has to start with me and be intentionally modeled to my kids. The thankfulness I practice now is often reactionary. It is in response to what I have, nice things done for me, and my comfort. That's the stuff of greeting cards. The gratitude tends to be fleeting…it doesn't contain power to change our perspective or produce joy.
In the book One Thousand Gifts, A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Ann Voskamp says:
"The practice of giving thanks...eucharisteo...this is the way we practice the presence of God, stay present to His presence, and it is always a practice of the eyes. We don't have to change what we see. Only the way we see."
What if I didn’t wait for the perfect scenarios to give thanks?
I am now on the hunt for that which I have not noticed before. I am looking beyond the obvious and being proactive in giving thanks. This Thanksgiving, my family will not be wrapping up a month of thankfulness but will be kicking off a new journey of partaking in willed eucharisteo in hopes of transforming our perspective. My husband and I will be leading our kids each day in writing down those things that we are grateful for and keeping that list in a place that can be see on a daily basis and by others who enter our home.
How do you participate in giving thanks in your home?
Kimberly is an enthusiastic and dedicated founding member of the Circles of Faith team. She is known for her creativity, strong faith, and commitment to living life with purpose and passion. Kimberly is a writer and community builder whose desire is for hearts to be healed, minds to be renewed and women to be connected in fellowship just as God intended.
You can follow Kimberly in her journey to discovering the Sweet Spot of God’s success for her everyday life on her blog at Living in the Sweet Spot. or on twitter @kimberlyamici.Click here for her full bio.
Someone took the time to tweet this quote they read in a book:
"God isn't offended by big dreams; he is offended by anything less."
Once I read this I couldn't resist, I had to know where it came from. You see, I used to be a big dreamer. I believe in power of prayer but somewhere along the way my dreams and my prayers became safe. [Continue Reading...]
by Kimberly Amici
Funny how you can hear a scripture over and over again but then all of a sudden you just “get it.” Even though the truths in the Bible are eternal, they were written in a time and a place that seems very far removed from the life we live today. We may have a hard time truly understanding references to a culture and time we are not familiar with. The profoundness of what we are reading is sometimes obscured. I am thankful to the many teachers, commentaries, and translations that have helped me along the way.
